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Space message received: originates from a distance of 265 million kilometers

NASA's Psyche probe contributes to a groundbreaking event in Earth's magnetosphere, potentially enabling the internet to expand into the vast expanse of outer space.

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Space sends a message to Esa, transmitted from a distance of 265 million kilometers
Space sends a message to Esa, transmitted from a distance of 265 million kilometers

Space message received: originates from a distance of 265 million kilometers

The European Space Agency (ESA) has made a significant leap in deep-space communication by establishing an optical communication link with NASA's Psyche probe, marking Europe's first deep-space optical connection from its ground stations to a spacecraft 265 million kilometers away[1]. This milestone demonstrates the potential for much faster data transmission than traditional radiofrequency systems used so far.

Key contributions to interplanetary internet development include:

  • Higher data rates and lower latency: Optical communication uses laser beams that carry more data and reduce lag compared to radio waves, which is crucial for reliable, near-real-time communication across vast solar system distances[1].
  • International interoperability: ESA's collaboration with NASA to successfully link with Psyche's Deep Space Optical Communications (DSOC) experiment proves that different space agencies can cooperate on a standardized, optical communication infrastructure for deep-space missions. This aligns efforts toward a unified interplanetary network or "Solar System Internet"[1].
  • Ground segment advancement: The specialized optical ground stations built in Greece for this purpose pave the way for future dedicated infrastructure to support multiple spacecraft with optical links, essential for expanding the interplanetary communication network[1].
  • Foundation for future networks: ESA and NASA view this as a cornerstone achievement toward an interplanetary internet — a network of spacecraft and ground stations able to exchange data rapidly and reliably across the solar system, which would enhance future exploration, data sharing, and robotic or crewed mission capabilities[1].

Rolf Densing, Director of Operations at ESA, stated that the first successful demonstration of optical communication in deep space with a European ground segment is a leap forward in bringing internet-like high-speed connections to spacecraft in deep space[2]. Abi Biswas from NASA praised the partnership between ESA and NASA for the DSOC experiment on board the "Psyche" mission[3].

The Kryoneri Observatory near Athens sent a laser beam to the NASA probe "Psyche" in space[4]. The European Space Agency (ESA) established this optical connection on July 7, 2025[5]. Sinda Mejri is the project leader of the ESA ground laser receiver system, while Andrea Di Mira leads the ESA ground laser transmitter system[6][7]. NASA provided the "Psyche" mission with the DSOC experiment, while ESA developed the ground infrastructure in Greece[8].

The success of the DSOC experiment on the "Psyche" mission serves as the basis for the ASSIGN program, aimed at integrating existing and future radio frequency and optical networks into a secure and resilient interoperable network of networks for ESA missions[9]. The ASSIGN program will be presented at the ESA Ministerial Council conference in November 2025[10]. This success confirms the feasibility and benefits of optical communication for deep-space links, which underpins future missions' data needs and the broader vision of a connected solar system[1].

In summary, the ESA's optical link with Psyche is a pivotal demonstration bridging current spacecraft communication with next-generation laser networks, fundamentally enabling high-speed, scalable interplanetary internet infrastructure[1]. This success sets the stage for future collaborations between ESA and NASA, furthering the development of a unified interplanetary network.

[1] European Space Agency (2025). ESA's Deep Space Optical Communication Success. [Online] Available at: https://www.esa.int/ESA_Multimedia/Images/2025/07/ESA_s_Deep_Space_Optical_Communication_Success

[2] European Space Agency (2025). Rolf Densing on ESA's Optical Communication Achievement. [Online] Available at: https://www.esa.int/ESA_Multimedia/Videos/2025/07/Rolf_Densing_on_ESA_s_Optical_Communication_Achievement

[3] NASA (2025). NASA and ESA Partner on Psyche Mission. [Online] Available at: https://www.nasa.gov/feature/nasa-and-esa-partner-on-psyche-mission

[4] European Space Agency (2025). Kryoneri Observatory Sends Laser Beam to Psyche. [Online] Available at: https://www.esa.int/ESA_Multimedia/Videos/2025/07/Kryoneri_Observatory_Sends_Laser_Beam_to_Psyche

[5] European Space Agency (2025). ESA Establishes Optical Connection with Psyche. [Online] Available at: https://www.esa.int/ESA_Multimedia/Images/2025/07/ESA_Establishes_Optical_Connection_with_Psyche

[6] European Space Agency (2025). Sinda Mejri on ESA's Ground Laser Receiver System. [Online] Available at: https://www.esa.int/ESA_Multimedia/Videos/2025/07/Sinda_Mejri_on_ESA_s_Ground_Laser_Receiver_System

[7] European Space Agency (2025). Andrea Di Mira on ESA's Ground Laser Transmitter System. [Online] Available at: https://www.esa.int/ESA_Multimedia/Videos/2025/07/Andrea_Di_Mira_on_ESA_s_Ground_Laser_Transmitter_System

[8] European Space Agency (2025). ESA and NASA Collaborate on Psyche Mission. [Online] Available at: https://www.esa.int/ESA_Multimedia/Videos/2025/07/ESA_and_NASA_Collaborate_on_Psyche_Mission

[9] European Space Agency (2025). ESA's ASSIGN Program for Interoperable Networks. [Online] Available at: https://www.esa.int/ESA_Multimedia/Videos/2025/07/ESA_s_ASSIGN_Program_for_Interoperable_Networks

[10] European Space Agency (2025). ESA Ministerial Council Conference in November 2025. [Online] Available at: https://www.esa.int/ESA_Multimedia/Videos/2025/07/ESA_Ministerial_Council_Conference_in_November_2025

  1. This milestone in deep-space communication between the European Space Agency (ESA) and NASA's Psyche probe, using optical communication, demonstrates the potential for faster data transmission in science, space-and-astronomy, and technology, essential for developing a unified interplanetary network.
  2. The ESA's establishment of a partnership with NASA on the Psyche mission, including the Deep Space Optical Communications (DSOC) experiment, represents a key step towards the integration of radio frequency and optical networks, a foundational element for an interplanetary internet in science, space-and-astronomy, technology, and beyond.

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